UHT has installed a hydraulic drive for the AOD converter at UGITECH, France. The drive has replaced the earlier electromechanical solution with gearbox and electrical drive. UGITECH estimates that an average capacity increase of four tons per work shift is now possible with the hydraulic drive.
Measurements made by UGITECH show vibrations to have been reduced by as much as 1000 times. Better control of the rotation and tilting of the vessel has also been achieved, since the hydraulic motor provides rapid and direct response with full torque from zero speed.
“The UHT hydraulic converter tilting solution enables us to maximize our AOD refining performance while minimizing any downtime and need for maintenance,” said steel plant manager at UGITECH, Jean-Francois Muller. “With the short delivery time, seven months in total, the hydraulic solution made it possible for UGITECH to schedule the revamp during our 2012 summer maintenance stop.”
